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President Barack Obama delivers his comic monologue at the annual White House Correspondent's Association Dinner.
Reuters

The White House Correspondents Dinner usually is the one time a year Washington gets to ogle celebrities.

But this year Hollywood came to gawk at Washington. Tom and Katie, Demi and Ashton, Tyra Banks, Jon Bon Jovi and Sting were all at the dinner.

President Obama, however, was squarely at the top of the A-list.

The celebs at the Washington Hilton turned out Saturday night not just to be seen, but to see him – and, fingers crossed, meet him.

Even for stars who've already shaken Obama's hand, his presence left them struck.

When Obama entered the room, actor Christian Slater, who has met the president twice, stopped mid-sentence, faced the dais and said, in a near trance, "Whoa. Okay. Oh my goodness. This is great."

Obama teased out his own appeal factor in his remarks.

"I strongly believe my next 100 days will be so successful I will finish them in 72 days," Obama said. "And on the 73rd day I will rest."

Members of Obama’s administration, too, are enjoying fame by proximity.

One giddy dinner guest was nearly jumping up and down after she got a photo of herself and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers worked the red carpet.

But Obama was the focus of the pre-parties in the Hilton's basement ballrooms - and the dinner that drew 3,000 people afterwards.

At the ABC News, National Journal and The Atlantic soiree, Andy Warhol-like silkscreens of the president and his entourage lined the room. There was, of course, first lady Michelle Obama. But also Emanuel, Vice President Joe Biden, advisor David Axelrod and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

And maybe it's the recession, but Obama's economic team had their own silkscreens, too: Peter Orszag, Timothy Geithner, Larry Summers and Christina Romer.

Watching on C-span, it was evident that Obama owned the room. His remarks were delivered with charm and ease, as he "skewered" Republicans and Democrats alike....focusing on his VP as well as his cabinet members and others in his administration. He exuded charisma, and most importantly he "did no harm" only adding to his likability. He ended his remarks on a serious note, letting the media know that they serve a valuable purpose in keeping Americans informed. His star continues to shine!

10:28 p.m. | Consider the outrage and anguish over Chrysler's decision to close its 800-employee Kenosha engine plant - as it opens a similar factory in Mexico and gets $12 billion in taxpayer help to restructure. Some are faulting the Obama administration for allowing it to happen.

Even for stars who've already shaken Obama's hand, his presence left them struck.

C'mon, you libs. At least try to understand why the behavior of the press in this country makes sane people hurl.

Seriously: Can you trust people like this to be the "watchdogs of Democracy?" These people have their noses so far up the royal rectum that the sky on their planet is brown. People who write slavering drivel like that about a democratically-elected leader have no business pretending to be "journalists." They are sycophants, and they ought to be ashamed of themselves.

After President Obama Washington will never be the same and that my friends is a good thing. CHANGE has come to America !!! President Barack Obama “Speak softly and carry a big stick” President Theodore Roosevelt

I am so proud of the President and first lady. Just consider; he has so much on his plate AND the GOP, or better known as the party of no, attacking everything he says and does down to the mustard he wants on his hamburger! Yet he can go to a dinner like this and poke fun at himself. How cool is that!